Gurian Khachapuri with a Twist

Ingredients

In this Estonian adaptation, we incorporate local Estonian cheeses, such as Leibjuust and Võru cheese, to give the dish a distinct flavor profile. Additionally, we use traditional Estonian bread-making techniques to create a soft and fluffy bread that perfectly complements the cheese filling. We alse have the original recipe for Gurian khachapuri, so you can check it out.

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast 7g (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• For the cheese filling: For the cheese filling:
• 300g Leibjuust cheese, grated 300g Leibjuust cheese, grated
• 200g Võru cheese, grated 200g Võru cheese, grated
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 100g sour cream 100g sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter, melted 2 tbsp butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 5g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is activated and foamy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and vegetable oil.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   In the meantime, prepare the cheese filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the grated Leibjuust cheese, Võru cheese, eggs, sour cream, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
7. 7.
   Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
8. 8.
   Roll out each portion of dough into a circle, approximately 30cm (12 inches) in diameter.
9. 9.
   Place half of the cheese filling in the center of one dough circle, leaving a border around the edges. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, creating a boat-like shape.
10. 10.
    Repeat the same process with the second portion of dough and the remaining cheese filling.
11. 11.
    Transfer the filled breads onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
12. 12.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese filling is melted and bubbly.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and let the breads cool for a few minutes before serving.
14. 14.
    Slice and serve the Estonian-inspired Gurian Khachapuri while still warm for the best experience.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Leibjuust cheese — Make sure to grate the Leibjuust cheese finely to ensure it melts evenly and blends well with the other cheeses.
• Võru cheese — If Võru cheese is not available, you can substitute it with another local Estonian cheese or a mild, semi-hard cheese with a similar texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs, such as dill or chives, on top of the cheese filling before folding the dough.
• Serve the Gurian Khachapuri with a dollop of sour cream on top for an extra creamy touch.
• If you prefer a spicier version, you can add a pinch of chili flakes or paprika to the cheese filling.
• This bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while the cheese is still warm and gooey.
• Leftovers can be reheated in the oven at a low temperature to maintain the bread's texture and cheese's consistency.

Serving advice

Serve the Estonian-inspired Gurian Khachapuri as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or pickled vegetables. It can also be enjoyed as a delicious appetizer or snack.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh herbs, such as parsley or dill, on top of the baked bread. Cut the Gurian Khachapuri into slices and arrange them on a platter, allowing the cheese filling to be visible.